System and method for displaying projector system identification information

ABSTRACT

A system and method of displaying identification information for a projector system are disclosed. The method includes projecting a display onto a viewing surface with the projector system, and projecting an identification image onto the viewing surface over at least a part of the display with the projection system, wherein the identification image is configured to convey the identification information to a viewer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/916,060, filed Aug. 10, 2004 now U.S. Pat No.6,984,045, entitled “System and Method for Displaying Projector SystemIdentification Information,” which is a continuation of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,526, filed Apr. 21,2003, entitled “System and Method for Displaying Projector SystemIdentification Information,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,252.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a projector system configured todisplay information related to the identification of the projectorsystem along with the display of other information.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, projector systems, such as digital projectors, havefound increased popularity as a tool for the presentation of content toan audience. These projector systems are typically used to project acomputer-generated presentation onto a viewing surface, and allow a userto easily present high-quality, professional appearing images toaudiences of a range of sizes. As a result, these projector systems arenow often found as permanent fixtures in conference rooms and othermeeting facilities.

A typical projector system may be used to project images from manydifferent types of sources. Examples of possible image sources includestill image sources such as presentation slide files, as well as analogor digital video signals from sources such as cable or satellite videoinstallations, DVD players, videocassette players, etc.

The wide range of possible uses, combined with the small size of manyprojector systems, may make these devices popular targets for thieves.To help protect a projector system from theft, the owner of the devicemay affix some sort of identification indicia, such as a plate or tagwith information regarding the owner, to the projector system. However,such indicia may be easy for a thief to remove from the projectorsystem, and thus may be ineffective at deterring theft. Furthermore,such indicia may be ineffective at communicating information regardingthe owner or identity of the projector system to a large audience.

SUMMARY

A system and method of displaying identification information for aprojector system are provided. The method includes projecting a displayonto a viewing surface with the projector system, and projecting anidentification image onto the viewing surface over at least a part ofthe display with the projection system, wherein the identification imageis configured to convey the identification information to a viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a projector system according to anembodiment of the present invention, projecting an exemplaryidentification image over a content image.

FIG. 2 is a view of the identification image of FIG. 1, showing examplesof suitable locations, sizes and appearances for the identificationimage.

FIG. 3 is a view of another exemplary identification image projectedover a content image.

FIG. 4 is a view of another exemplary identification image projectedover a content image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a projector system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of displaying identificationinformation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of displaying identificationinformation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPICTED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows, generally at 10, an exemplary embodiment of a projectorsystem according to the present invention, projecting a display 12 ontoa viewing surface. Display 12 includes a content image, indicatedgenerally at 14, and an identification image, indicated generally at 16.Content image 14 is configured to convey presenter-selected contentinformation to a viewing audience. Identification image 16 is configuredto display information regarding the identity of projector system 10, asexplained in more detail below.

Projector system 10 may take the form of any suitable type of projectorsystem, and is typically a digital projector system. Examples include,but are not limited to, larger digital projector systems intended foruse as permanent installations in meeting rooms, as well as smaller,portable digital projector systems. Likewise, projector system 10 may beconfigured to display any suitable type of content image 12. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, content in the form of presentationslide files provided by a computing device, as well as analog or digitalvideo signals from sources such as cable and satellite videoinstallations, DVD players, videocassette players, etc.

As mentioned above, identification image 16 is configured to displayinformation regarding the identity of the projector over content image14 (or any default images displayed in the absence of a content image,such as splash screens, etc.). Identification image 16 may be used todisplay any suitable type of identification information. For example,where projector system 10 is owned by a corporate entity, theidentification image may take the form of a company logo, slogan,trademark, etc., as shown in FIG. 1.

The display of identification image 16 over content image 14 exposes anaudience to the logo, slogan, trademark, etc. represented by theidentification image for the duration of the presentation, regardless ofthe content information being presented. Prior methods of exposing anaudience to such identification information have been more limited intheir application. For example, prior methods of includingidentification information in a digital slide presentation havetypically involved using special slide templates having backgrounds thatinclude the desired logo, slogan or trademark to create each individualslide. Thus, where the content being presented was not prepared by or onbehalf of the presenter, identification information may be entirelyabsent from display 12 during the presentation.

In contrast, projector system 10 allows a desired identification imageselected by a user to be presented over any or all desired contentimages, regardless of the source of the image. Identification image 16may also serve the additional purpose of helping to deter theft. This isbecause a viewer watching a presentation on a stolen projector systemmay recognize the logo, slogan, trademark, etc., and realize that theprojector system may not be owned by the current user.

Identification image 16 may be displayed at any suitable location ondisplay 12 relative to content image 14. In FIG. 1, identification image16 is located adjacent a top left corner of display 12. In thislocation, identification image 16 does not detract from content image14, but is still noticeable to viewers. Likewise, identification image16 may have any suitable appearance and size relative to content image14. In FIG. 1, identification image 16 is depicted as having atransparent, embossed appearance on display 12, and is sized to fit inthe top left corner of the display. Thus, any portion of content image14 that overlaps identification image 16 will still be visible to aviewer through the identification image.

FIG. 2 shows some examples of other suitable sizes, locations andappearances for identification image 16. First, identification image 16may have an opaque appearance, as shown at 16′, or a semi-opaqueappearance, as shown at 16″, rather than a transparent and/or embossedappearance. Likewise, identification image 16 may be located in an upperleft corner of display 12, as shown at 16 and 16′, in an upper rightcorner, as shown at 16″, in any other corner, along a top, bottom orside edge of the display, or even in a more central region on thedisplay. Where identification image 16 is located in a more centrallocation on display 12, it may be desirable for identification image 16to have an at least partially transparent appearance to avoidinterfering with the presentation of content image 14.

In some embodiments, various characteristics of the appearance ofidentification image 16 may be adjustable by a user. For example, a usermay be able to turn the projection of identification image 16 on or off.Likewise, the user may be able to select or set the size, location,degree of transparency, color, location, color saturation, or any othersuitable characteristic of the appearance of identification image 16.Furthermore, in some embodiments, access to some user-selectablecharacteristics may be restricted to users with a higher privilege levelto the exclusion of users with a lower privilege level, as described inmore detail below.

Identification image 16 may be generated and displayed in any suitablemanner. For example, identification image 16 may either be incorporatedinto content image 14 before the content image is generated, or may bedisplayed on top of the content image. Displaying identification image16 over content image 14 may be simpler to implement, as this may notentail altering the source file for the content image. Identificationimage 16 may be displayed over content image 14 by using similartechniques and/or software as those well known in the digital projectorsystem arts to display user control menus over a content image.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of other suitable identification images thana corporate logo, slogan, trademark, etc. First, FIG. 3 shows anidentification image 116 in the form of a message identifying a companythat has provided the use of projector system 10. Identification image116 may be used where a presentation is given by an entity other thanthe owner of the projector system to build goodwill in the entity thatdonated the projector system use.

Prior methods of publicizing an entity that provides money or equipmentfor another entity's presentation typically involve acknowledging thedonating company via an introductory or concluding screen. However, thisexposes a viewing audience to the identification information for only ashort time relative to the overall length of the presentation. Incontrast, the use of identification image 116 exposes an audience to theidentification image throughout the duration of a presentation, and thusmay be more effective at building goodwill or brand recognition thanshowing the company name only at the beginning and/or end of apresentation.

Next, FIG. 4 shows another example of a suitable identification image,generally at 216. Identification image 216 includes a message settingforth the owner of projector system 10, and a telephone number that maybe called to report unauthorized uses of the projector system. Thus,while identification image 216 identifies the owner of the projectorsystem, it is intended to have a primary purpose of theft deterrence,rather than name or brand exposure. It may be desirable to useidentification image 216 in projector systems that may be prone tothefts, such as those owned by schools, large businesses with highemployee turnover, etc.

Identification image 216 may be configured to be projected continuouslythroughout an entire presentation, or may be configured to be presentedonly on an introductory screen, such as a splash screen. Whereidentification image 216 is displayed throughout a presentation, it maybe positioned in a corner or along a side of display 12, rather than inthe center of the display, to avoid interfering with the presentation.

Identification image 216 may also include a password prompt (not shown)requiring a user to input a password in order to use projection system10 to present content. Such password may be input in any suitablemanner. For example, where projector system 10 is controlled by anexternal computing device, the password may be input via the computingdevice. Alternatively, where projector system 10 includes its own inputdevice, such as a keypad (not shown), the password may be entered viathe user input device of the projector system.

Projector system 10 may be configured to have different privilege levelsfor different users such that only a restricted class of users has theability to change identification image 16. For example, where projectorsystem 10 is used in a multi-user environment, such as a business orschool, it may be desirable to allow only users with a higher privilegelevel, such as a system administrator, to change the message, symbol,logo, etc. displayed as identification image 16, or to turn the displayof the identification image on or off. Here, projector system 10 (or anexternal computer used to control the projector system) may include ausername and/or password list or database (or single password) storedthereon, and may require a user to enter either a username and password,or just a password, to access controls related to identification image16.

On the other hand, for some use environments, it may be desirable toallow any user with an ordinary use privilege level (i.e. sufficientprivilege to use projector system 10 to present content) to customizethe appearance and/or location of identification image 16 to bestposition the identification image for a selected presentation. In thissituation, projector system 10 may be configured to require entry of apassword only when a user attempts to load a new identification imageinto the projector system.

Likewise, as described above for identification image 216, there may beuse environments in which it is desirable to require a user to enter apassword before displaying content with projector system 10. In thissituation, projector system 10 (or an external computer used to controlthe projector system) may include a user information list or databasethat stores a list of authorized users, along with a privilege levelassociated with each user. Here, projector system 10 may determine theprivilege level associated with each user who uses the projector system,and may grant access to various controls of identification image 16accordingly.

FIG. 5 shows, generally at 300, a greatly simplified block diagram of asuitable electrical system architecture for projector system 10.Electrical system 300 includes an input 302 for accepting inputs ofcontent and control signals, a controller 304 related to processing ofthe input signals, and an output 306 for output of a presentation inaudio and/or visual format.

Input 302 typically includes one or more graphical inputs 308 configuredto accept the input of graphical data from one or more types of sources.Examples of suitable graphical inputs include, but are not limited to,SVGA, CVBS, SVHS and CPNT, computing device inputs such as M1-A, M1-D,USB, and IEEE 1394 ports, wireless inputs such as a BLUETOOTH receiver,and network inputs such as an ETHERNET port and/or an RS-232 port. Input302 also may include an audio input 310 for accepting the input of audiosignals.

Input 302 also typically includes a control input 312 configured toaccept input of commands for controlling projector system 10. Examplesof typical projector system functions that may be controlled via inputto control input 312 include, but are not limited to, power off/on, lampoff/on, fan off/on, and ceiling/table mount settings. Control input 312may be configured to accept input from any suitable input device. Forexample, control input 312 may include one or more infrared receiversconfigured to receive a control signal from an infrared remote control.Control input 312 may also include an on-board input device, such as akeypad (not shown) included on projector system 10.

Control input 312 may also be configured to accept input of controlcommands related to identification image 16 (or 116 or 216). Forexample, control input 312 may be configured to accept input ofidentification information in the form of a graphics file or text filerepresenting the appearance of identification image 16. Furthermore,control input 312 may be configured to accept user identification and/orpassword information to allow a user to modify the appearance ofidentification image 16. Alternatively, the user identification and/orpassword information may be stored and processed on an externalcomputing device (not shown) used to control projector system 10, asdescribed above.

It will be appreciated that video input 308, audio input 310 and controlinput 312 may include any suitable circuitry for decoding, demodulating,or otherwise processing input signals into the correct format fordownstream components.

Next, controller 308 may include such components as an image processor320 and a display controller 322. Image processor 320 is configured toprocess input received at video input 308, and to output a correspondingvideo output signal to display controller 322. Display controller 322 isconfigured to drive a digital micromirror device (DMD), liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, or othersuitable display device (which is typically part of a graphical output338) to produce display 12 (in combination with a lamp and othersuitable optics). Controller 308 may also include an audio processor(not shown) to generate a suitable audio signal that may be convertedinto sound by a suitable transducer (which is typically part of an audiooutput 330).

Image processor 320 and display controller 322 may be configured toaccept input from control input 312 for controlling the operation of theimage processor and display controller. Furthermore, image processor 322may be configured to generate menus (or other user interfaces) ondisplay 12 over portions of content image 14 when a user selects tochange a projector system setting, as is known to one skilled in therelevant art.

Next, controller 308 also includes both volatile memory 324 andnon-volatile memory 326. Volatile memory 324 is typically employed inthe storage and processing of video and/or audio signals from input 302.Non-volatile memory, on the other hand, is configured to store dataconfigured to be preserved unless changed by a user. For example,non-volatile memory 326 may be configured to store the identificationinformation that represents identification image 16. Non-volatile memory326 may also be configured to store user identification and/or passwordinformation where appropriate. Furthermore, non-volatile memory 326 alsomay be configured to store information representing the appearance andfunctionality of user-interface menu trees, etc. that may be displayedover content image 14 when prompted by a user.

Controller 322 is configured to control the appearance and display ofidentification image 16. As described above, controller 322 mayaccomplish this in any suitable manner. For example, controller 322 maygenerate identification image 16 in the same manner used to generate agraphical user interface menu that is displayed over content image 14,or may alter selected pixels to incorporate identification image 16 intocontent image 14.

Controller 322 may also be configured to allow a user (with a sufficientprivilege level) to modify the appearance of identification image 16 ina suitable manner. Examples of suitable appearance characteristics ofidentification image 16 that may be modified include, but are notlimited to, color, color saturation, size, location and degree oftransparency.

Where non-volatile memory 326 is configured to store user identificationand/or password information, controller 322 may also be configured tocompare a user-entered username and password to a list or database ofusernames and associated passwords stored within non-volatile memory 326before allowing the user to use projector system 10 for the presentationof content information. Likewise, controller 322 may be configured toverify a user's privilege level before allowing a user to load a newidentification image 16 into non-volatile memory 326, or to change anappearance characteristic of the identification image.

FIG. 6 shows a first exemplary manner of implementing the display ofidentification image 16, generally at 400. Method 400 first includesloading identification information representing identification image 16into non-volatile memory 326. As described above, it may be desirable tolimit the number of users who have the ability to load a newidentification image into non-volatile memory 326 to those users with ahigher, administrative security level. Thus, projector system 10 (or anexternal computing device used to control the projector system) firstreceives an input of administrative security information at 402. Theadministrative security information may include both a username and apassword, or just a password.

Next at 404, projector system 10 (or external computing device) comparesthe received administrative security information to preselected useridentification and/or password information stored in non-volatile memory326 to determine whether the input administrative security informationmatches the stored user identification and/or password information. Ifthe received administrative security information does not match thepreselected information, then the user is denied permission to load anew identification image into non-volatile memory 326, and projectorsystem 10 waits to receive new administrative security information.However, if the received administrative security information matches thepreselected information, then projector system 10 accepts the input ofnew identification information at 406.

After the identification information has been loaded into non-volatilememory 326, the projector is ready to present content information ascontent image 14. First, projector system 10 receives an input ofcontent information at 408. Next, the content information is processedand displayed on display 12 as content image 14. At the same time, theidentification information entered at 406 is displayed over contentimage 14 as identification image 408. It will be appreciated thatidentification image 16 may also be displayed over any other imagebesides content image 14, including, but not limited to, a splash screendisplayed upon powering up projector system 10, and a default screendisplayed in the absence of any content image.

FIG. 7 shows another method of displaying identification image 16,generally at 500. Method 500 requires a user to enter securityinformation before presenting content with projector system 10, and thusmay be suitable for use with an identification image similar toidentification image 216 of FIG. 4.

Method 500 includes first receiving administrative security informationat 502. Next at 504, projector system 10 (or external computing device)compares the received administrative security information to preselecteduser identification and/or password information stored in non-volatilememory 326 to determine whether the input administrative securityinformation matches the stored user identification and/or passwordinformation. If the received administrative security information doesnot match the preselected information, then the user is deniedpermission to load a new identification image into non-volatile memory326, and projector system 10 waits to receive new administrativesecurity information. However, if the received administrative securityinformation matches the preselected information, then projector system10 accepts the input of new identification information at 506, anddisplays the identification information as a security screen (similar toidentification image 216) at 508.

At this point, projector system 10 is ready to present content. However,in the embodiment of FIG. 7, projector system 10 may not be used topresent content until a user enters acceptable user security informationin the form of a valid username and/or password. Thus, projector system10 next receives user security information at 510, and verifies that thereceived user security information matches preselected securityinformation stored within projector system 10 (or an external computingdevice), typically in the form of a list or database of authorizedusers. If the received security information does not match anyauthorized usernames and/or passwords, then projector system 10 deniesaccess and continues to wait to receive user security information.

On the other hand, if the security information received at 510 matchesthe preselected security information at 512, then the projector deviceaccepts the input of content information at 514 and displays a contentimage representing the content information at 516. Furthermore,projector device 10 may also display an identification image over thecontent image at 518 if desired.

It will be appreciated that the identification images shown in FIGS. 1–4are merely exemplary, and that any other suitable identification imagethat conveys any suitable identification information may also be used.

Furthermore, although the present disclosure includes specificembodiments, specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limitingsense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter ofthe present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinationsand subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/orproperties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point outcertain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel andnonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” elementor the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to includeincorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring norexcluding two or more such elements. Other combinations andsubcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties maybe claimed through amendment of the present claims or throughpresentation of new claims in this or a related application. Suchclaims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to theoriginal claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matterof the present disclosure.

1. An image display system comprising: memory configured to store auser-selected identification image, wherein the identification imageincludes information regarding the identity of the image display system;and a display configured to project the user-selected identificationimage onto a viewing surface.
 2. The image display system of claim 1wherein the display is further configured to project a password prompt,wherein entry of an authorized password may enable display of content.3. The image display system of claim 1, wherein the identification imageis displayed over a content image.
 4. The image display system of claim1, wherein the identification image is displayed over a default image.5. The image display system of claim 2, wherein the identification imageis absent during content display.
 6. The image display system of claim2, wherein the identification image is displayed over a content image.7. A system for preventing unauthorized use of a projector, the systemcomprising: memory linked with user-selected security information; adisplay configured to display a security image, wherein the securityimage requests the user-selected security information, wherein thedisplay is further configured to display user content information uponreceipt of the user-selected security information.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the user-selected security information is stored on theprojector.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the user-selected securityinformation is stored on an external computer used to control theprojector.
 10. The system of claim 7, further comprising an input. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the input is on the projector.
 12. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the user-selected security information isprestored by an administrator.
 13. The system of claim 7, wherein theuser-selected security information includes at least one of a passwordand a username.
 14. A display system comprising: a user-selectableprojector identity, including information regarding the identity of theprojector; memory configured to store the user-selectable projectoridentity; and a means for displaying the user-selectable projectoridentity.
 15. The display system of claim 14, where the user-selectableprojector identity is displayed upon a select condition, includingpowering up, exiting a sleep mode and expiration of a predetermined timeperiod of inactivity.
 16. The display system of claim 14, wherein theuser-selectable projector identity includes security information. 17.The display system of claim 16, wherein the means for display theuser-selectable projector identity includes a request for the securityinformation.